Thread: low price classes at the Y

I was just offered a job teaching at the YMCA down the street from my house and was thrilled to be offered something that would be not only steady but also LOCAL. (Most of my steady gigs are a lot farther away.) Then I found out that their policy is to start instructors at $20 per class. I was disheartened but went in to do a quick demo anyway to see what came of it. They loved it and wanted to hire me for a time that is quite convenient for me. I would like to take it for the local exposure, etc, and they did assure me that they can raise my pay after students evaluate me based on a few lessons. But even if they raise my pay, the price they are charging right now for a five-week session is $13 (members) and $20 (non). Also offered at this rate are classes like indian dance, step aerobics, kickboxing, and more. My concern is that I would be undercutting not just other teachers but also myself, as I teach at a studio 20 minutes away where I charge $90 for 6 weeks and they give me 70%. I can partly justify that discrepancy, given that the studio is new and beautiful with a/c, huge mirrors, and hw floors, while the class at the Y would be in a carpeted, mirrorless conference room. Also it's the Y and aren't they supposed to offer classes for the local community at low prices? Has anyone dealt with this type of thing before? Like I said, I would like to at least give it a try, but I wanted to get some feedback...

Thanks!
Serafina

Those rates are about the same in my area for teaching at the Y. I've not done it, but I know others who have. I think that all venues for teaching are different. I wouldn't worry about it. I would do it because you want the exposure or convieneince. In my mind it seems legit, just because I know about the variation.

For instance my friend who teaches at the Y, also teaches out of her home where she makes a lot more money, but the Y was a great way to bring in more students and get community exposure...

PS 70% of class fees is unheard of around here. Keep that one because it seems like a good set-up! :)

The Y is notorious for paying peanuts. I taught for one here very briefly and gave up on it because it was a struggle to get a decent room. They could not comprehend or were unwilling to comprehend the basic needs I had for a safe floor, working stereo, etc. It was a thankless place to teach dance and it's what drove me to start renting my own space.

I think the Y is OK (sort of) if you are just teaching a "bellydance for fitness and fun" taster sort of class. But if you have aspirations beyond that, I'd say just stick with where you're at, or look for a different opportunity.

Nisaa

Originally Posted by nisaasaintlouis

The Y is notorious for paying peanuts.

Nisaa

I agree...I was paid very little....however, my kids got free circus classes, free family membership to all area YMCAs, and unlimited use of all classes AND employee benefits. I think for the low pay, the trade in benefits and perks were outweighed...

Yeah. NOT a fan of the Y, from my personal investigations into teaching there. $20 with the potential to get a whopping $5 "raise" over the span of 5 years? No thanks. Those who teach at the Y near me usually don't seem to last long.

Though the Y really is reputable, I'd be much more inclined to seek out teaching venues with better pay. At $20, minus whatever you're paying for gas, plus the time that could be spent on your personal practice, I find it a very tricky justification to even leave the house.

Just my usual outspoken capitalism tempered with brutal honesty.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Though the Y really is reputable, I'd be much more inclined to seek out teaching venues with better pay.

I have to add, it depends on how you define "reputable." I know just about anybody with a hipscarf can start up a belly dance class at the Y's around here. They are not concerned about quality, safety, authenticity, whatever.

I was contacted by my local Y with a similar offer, except with the pincely sum of $15/hr instead of $20. Unfortunately, they are unable to hire contractors and could only hire me outright as an employee, so a split per student was out of the question. I turned them down flat.

I've yet to find a venue where teaching at an hourly rate makes me more money than a split like you've mentioned above. If I'm doing the math right, 70% of $90 is $63, and divided by the 6 weeks, it means you're making $10.50 per student per hour (presuming your classes are an hour). If you even have just 5 students, you're making more than $50 an hour, right?

If that's the case, there's no way I would work for less than half of my usual hourly rate. If you found one place to agree to your terms, you can find another - which is exactly what I did. I now only teach at venues (mostly Park & Recs) who will do a split per student with me receiving 70% of the fees.

I love the Y as a consumer/member, not so much as an employee. The San Francisco YMCAs do not pay their instructors, or offer free membership (or at least they did not do so when I was asked to teach there around five years ago). It was not worth it to me even to do a teaser class there to advertise my dance studio classes, though I was able to contract for some workshops.

Etoile, if I got the benefits you did it may have been worth it. They did offer me free CPR certification, but that is about it. Totally not worth it.

You may be able to negotiate for more. I taught at the Y for a while and was paid $38/hr. I think it may vary based on location and funding availability. :)

But....I thought that purchasing your first hip scarf instantly grants you the power to teach the classes and take the gigs that you're entitled to by right of being a bellydancer! *scratches head*

By "reputable," I mean that the Y is a pretty well known national organization, not Suzy Nippletassels Academy of Middle Eastern Dance. If you're at the Y, it could amount to decent publicity, because everybody knows the Y and tons of people are members....but then again, no amount of publicity in the world is worth $20 and a fully booked evening to me.

As you read this reply, picture me making little bunny-ear air quotes with my fingers around nearly every other word. hahahahaha.

Then again, there seem to be tons of people who have had great experiences at the Y, so who am I to snark?